When we think of science, we probably think of experiments and laboratories that involve beakers and test tubes. However, these familiar things are not the limits to what we can do with science; there is a whole range of scientific investigations which occur in nature – some examples include watching the flow of water around obstacles or how different substances dissolve in water. This type of investigation can occur both indoors and outdoors, although it is much harder to control factors such as the wind or sun without an indoor laboratory.
One of the most important elements that you need to create a successful outdoor investigation is a way to monitor and control variables. For example, testing how well different substances dissolve in water is usually done by changing one variable at a time – for instance, changing “the substance” and checking if the level of dissolved substance changes as a result.
However, this investigation is not without variables that need control, because the temperature of the water would affect how much substance dissolves. In addition to changing one variable at a time, it is important to monitor and control all other variables which could have an effect on your experiment. For example, you can monitor and control the temperature of the water by using a beaker with a thermometer inside. This way, any changes you record can be directly attributed to the variable you are testing and it is easier to draw conclusions about your experiment as a result.